Freehand routing, Edging with pilot bit

OPERATION

wARNING:

Do not use large router bits for freehand routing. Use of large router bits when freehand routing could cause loss of control or create other hazardous conditions that could result in personal injury. If using a router table, large bits should be used for edging only.

Freehand routing

See Figure 10.

When used freehand, the router becomes a flexible and versatile tool. This flexibility makes it possible to easily rout signs, relief sculptures, etc. When freehand routing:

nDraw or layout the pattern on the workpiece.

nChoose the appropriate bit.

NOTE: A core box or V-groove bit is often used for rout- ing letters and engraving objects. Straight bits and ball mills are often used to make relief carvings. Veining bits are used to carve small, intricate details.

nRout the pattern in two or more passes. Make the first pass at 25% of the desired depth of cut. This will pro- vide better control as well as being a guide for the next pass.

NOTE: Do not rout deeper than 1/8 in. per pass.

edging with pilot bit

See Figure 11.

The arbor‑type bits with pilots are excellent for quick, easy, edge shaping of any workpiece edge that is either straight or curved at a curvature as great or greater than the radius of the bit to be used. The pilot prevents the bit from mak- ing too deep a cut; and holding the pilot firmly in contact with the workpiece edge throughout prevents the cut from becoming too shallow.

Fig. 10

WORK ROUTER

PILOT TOP EDGE SHAPING

ROUTERGUIDE WORK

Whenever the workpiece thickness together with the desired depth of cut (as adjusted by router depth setting) are such that only the top part of the edge is to be shaped (leaving at least a 1/16 in. thick uncut portion at bottom), the pilot can ride against the uncut portion, which serves to guide it. However, if the workpiece is too thin or the bit set too low so that there will be no uncut edge to ride the pilot against, an extra board to act as a guide must be placed under the workpiece. This “guide” board must have exactly the same

PILOT

WHOLE EDGE SHAPING

Fig. 11

contour— straight or curved—as the workpiece edge. If it is positioned so that its edge is flush with the workpiece edge, the bit will make a full cut (in as far as the bit radius). On the other hand, if the guide is positioned as shown in figure 11 (out from the workpiece edge), the bit will make less than a full cut — which will alter the shape of the finished edge.

NOTE: Any of the piloted bits can be used without a pilot for edge shaping with guides, as preceding. The size (diameter) of the pilot that is used determines the maximum cut width that can be made with the pilot against the workpiece edge (the small pilot exposes all of the bit; the large one reduces this amount by 1/16 in.).